**Trump Administration Cuts Voice of America Staff by 600, Dramatically Reducing Staff**
In a shocking move, the administration of US President Donald Trump has issued layoff notices to over 600 employees of Voice of America (VOA), reducing the outlet’s staff to fewer than 200. This significant cut in staff is reported by the New York Times.
Voice of America, launched in 1942 to counter wartime propaganda, has been a central pillar of US public diplomacy for decades, broadcasting in 49 languages to more than 360 million people worldwide. The Trump administration’s decision to dismantle VOA has been met with criticism from many quarters.
The dismissals, described as reductions in force, affect both journalists and support staff who will remain on paid leave until September 1. This is the biggest rollback of the federally funded broadcaster in decades, reducing its staff to just one-seventh of what it was at the start of last year.
**VOA Cuts Follow Months of Attrition**
The Trump administration’s move follows months of attrition at VOA. In February, the outlet employed approximately 1,300 staff. Since then, programming has been slashed, with broadcasts now limited to just four languages.
**Legal Challenges**
The decision to dismantle VOA has met legal challenges. A US federal judge ordered the administration to reinstate all employees and contractors in April, ruling that the mass dismissal likely violated US law. However, a federal appeals court overturned that order, allowing the layoffs to proceed.
**Russian Propagandists Welcome Cuts**
Interestingly, Russian propagandists have welcomed the cuts to VOA, seeing them as a boon for their own propaganda efforts.
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his June 20 nightly address that Ukraine is developing interceptor drones to counter Russian drone strikes, adding that domestic production is “already delivering results.”
**NATO Summit and Russia’s Peace Proposal**
President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to attend a NATO summit in The Hague next week, the European Council confirmed on June 20. Russia’s memorandum on a peace proposal has been described by Russia’s envoy to the UN as the “best offer Ukraine can get today.”
**Ukraine Calls for Lower Price Cap on Russian Oil**
Ukraine has been calling on Western partners to lower the price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $30 per barrel. However, two diplomats told Politico that the escalation of the conflict between Iran and Israel would make it impossible to impose new restrictions.
**New Game Focuses on Russia’s War in Ukraine**
The new game is the first to focus on Russia’s war in Ukraine, featuring real battles and characters.
